Your choices when building a new custom home are seemingly limitless, restricted primarily by budget and buildings codes or zone limitations. After you find that perfect piece of land and calculate your build allowance, the next decision you make has far-reaching ramifications. Do you hire an architect to come up with a design and house plans, then bring in a builder for the construction? Or do you hire a design build firm that does it all, from drawings through construction? It’s normal to feel some trepidation at this stage, particularly if this is your first experience with a custom build.

At Foley, we have “in-house” plans that may precisely meet your budget and design needs or, if needed, can be modified to accommodate your distinct vision. We will also generate plans from scratch or work with an outside architect. Both options can ultimately deliver you the home of your dreams. Let’s take a look at some points and questions you should consider and ask as you try to solve the architect vs design build contractor puzzle.

1. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE

Architects are professionals trained in design theory, engineering, and project management, while design-builders sometimes do not have academic training in those fields. What design build firms do bring to the table is their extensive and valuable experience in the area you are building, as well as their familiarity with state and local regulations, permits, fees and more.

2.COST CONSIDERATIONS

Budget requirements and restrictions should be clear from the start. Architects often base their estimates on input from area contractors, and overruns can add up fast if consideration isn’t given to your unique design. A design build company’s teams are constantly working with each other, so budget overruns happen less frequently. Also, the design build contractor has more invested than an architect does in staying on budget.

Changes inevitably occur, and architects tend to bill for those changes at an hourly rate; those rates can quickly kill a budget. In a design-build scenario, some expenses related to design details and drawings can be avoided as everything is done in house.

Finally, we know time is money, and a lot of time can be spent on communication between the outside architect and contractor. A local design-build firm saves you both time and money, because all such communication is internal.

3. WHO’S IN CHARGE?

An outside architect designs and creates your plans and is sometimes retained to act as an advocate during your build, which increases your bottom line. With a design build, the firm is entirely responsible for overseeing your project and keeping it on budget. Also, when an outside architect is hired, the worlds of design and construction will often collide, creating that put you squarely in the middle. You may find yourself with an architect’s initial design that doesn’t work within your budget, meaning you must either abandon the design altogether, or pay more for changes.

Communication, as in all things, is vital to a successful working relationship, whether you go the architect/design-build route or custom design builder alone. Make sure an outside architect is willing to work as part of a team and you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises.

4. TIMELINES AND SCHEDULES

Architects cannot begin their work until all the pieces, such as land development issues, are in place, meaning plans and start of construction can be delayed. With a design build contractor, timing from design to build is often quicker, as “back to the drawing board” issues are handled in-house and there is no competitive bidding process.

5. THE “SHINY” STUFF

Furnishings and fixtures play an important role in the design process. Most design-build firms have an internal process to assist you in choosing the building products that make a house your home, including cabinets, appliances, countertops and fixtures. This service is typically outside the architect’s realm.

We at Foley Development believe it is in our – and your – best interest to guarantee your entire design experience goes smoothly and falls within your budget. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the architect vs design build choice, and invite you to download our eBook to learn more about how our custom design build process works.

Custom home building in Fairfax County, as in most areas of Northern VA, is both an exciting and exacting enterprise. The pleasure comes from what we like to call the “shiny stuff,” like floor coverings, great new cabinetry, countertops, and all the other beautiful items you choose to make your home unique to you.

The tedium can come from dealing with the nitty-gritty details connected to land development and the physical building of your home.

At Foley Development Group, we consider excavation, bringing in and connecting utilities, and obtaining the building permit required in Northern VA to all be just a small part of the entire process.

Virginia state law requires that certain permits in Northern VA be obtained prior to start of construction on any housing project. Fairfax County abides by and enforces that law in the permitting, plan review and inspection processes. As part of the process in building your custom home, Foley Development Group will make sure you’re covered on everything required by law for building a home in Northern VA.

1. When a Building Permit Is Required

If you’re constructing a new residential structure in Fairfax County, multiple permits will be required. The permits can include the Building Permit, Land Disturbance Permit, Site Plan Permit, Demo Permit (infill lots normally require older homes to be torn down) and utility type permits. Detailed building plans will also be required and must be designed under local design criteria and the current building code. You will also need a site-related plan, which details things like land disturbance, tree conservation, storm water runoff and much more.

2. From Permit Application To Approval

Applying for these various permits in Northern VA is less complicated than it used to be (applications can be obtained online), but it’s still a detailed procedure that you shouldn’t have to grapple with yourself. As part of the process you’ll be asked to supply the who, what, where and how of the custom build.

Your application is then reviewed and Fairfax County staff determine if your build is in compliance with state and county building codes, zoning ordinances and statutes. The time to approval depends greatly on the complexity of the project, new residential homes can take anywhere from two to four months.

You can follow online the status of your application. Your application is essentially approved once county staff affirms compliance with building codes, zoning ordinances and other applicable statutes, and is ultimately approved once all final permit fees are paid.

3. Construction To Completion

All permits must be prominently displayed (a window is a popular choice) during the entire construction phase, and all county-approved building plans must be available at the construction site. A county inspector must inspect each major phase of construction to ensure all works conforms to the permit, the code and the approved plans.

Most field changes will require a new review and approval identical to the original application. When your build is complete, the inspector will make one final inspection, which marks the conclusion of your project and grants you permission to occupy your new residence.

At Foley Development Group, we believe the custom build process should include helping you navigate these intricate waters, steering you clear of tricky or challenging obstacles. From walking the lot, obtaining permits, scheduling inspections and applying for field changes, we’re with you every step of the way towards realizing the completion of your dream home.

Building your dream home is one of the most exciting and rewarding endeavors you’ll ever undertake. As the economy continues to improve, luxury custom home building is booming in the country’s highest-end neighborhoods. It’s fun to anticipate living in the home you’ve always envisioned, but the road from dream to reality is complex. A custom home designer brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the table, making sure your project goes as smoothly as possible.

At Foley Development Group, the process for building custom homes ensures client satisfaction because we understand and handle the entire range of services required to keep your custom design costs on track. Between finding the land you build on to interior finishing touches, there’s land development, a budget, home plans, specifications and financing. The team you hire includes the designer, builder, subcontractors, and interior decorator. Mix in scheduling and change orders, and it’s easy to see how custom home design costs might spin out of control.

Obtaining Home Plans

Once your land is obtained and financing is in place, it’s time to find the right professional to draw up plans. While you might think the best choice is hiring an architect, consider the advantages offered by a custom design builder like Foley Development Group. Because we understand and are involved in the entire build process, you’ll save time and money by not having to scrap an architect’s plans that a builder later determines can’t be built on your lot.

Pitfalls That Can Happen

The more complex a process, the more pitfalls along the way. Boil them down and you’ll find they fall into two major categories – communication and money. Failure to communicate with experts during the custom design process can result in a myriad of scheduling and design cost overruns. As plans move from paper to the build, it’s a good idea to expect changes, but you don’t need to be blindsided by financial hits due to poor planning or forgotten line items. The more you know at the start about plans, bids, estimates and the subcontractors on your team, the more control you will have over custom home design factors, including overruns.

Factors Affecting Home Design Costs

Some items you may not immediately think pertain to budgeting for custom home design costs include the land price, utilities, architectural fees, construction costs, and landscaping and paving expenses. Broker fees, mortgage interest and taxes should also be added into your budget.

Questions To Consider

As you consider using a custom home builder for your new home, ask yourself these questions. What is a fair price? What kind of firm am I dealing with? What is their experience in my location? What level of quality does my budget support?

The custom home process is a critical step in the journey to realizing your dream home, but we understand you are eager to actually begin building that home. Let Foley Development Group’s professionalism, experience and creativity start turning your dream into a reality today.

Making the best finishing selections for your home can seem complex and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.   In fact, choosing finishing selections can be one of the most enjoyable parts of your home design process.  You can add luxury or comfort, and infuse your own personal design flair.  Lets look at some key things to keep in mind when choosing your finishing selections.

What You Don’t Need To Worry About

So many choices, so little time!  What kind of lumber or what plumbing fixtures are best?  One of the benefits of working with an experienced builder is that you can rely on a well-experienced guide to take the messiness and guesswork out of choosing those finishings that are necessary to put the home together. How the drywall will be glued and screwed, for instance, can be best left to the builder. With this guidance, you can eliminate worry and focus on making your new home the best it can be.

Standard Features

These are included with the purchase price of every home, and vary from builder to builder, but it is very simple for your team to present you with a detailed list of these items.  It will include several key design elements like window and door size, flooring selections, cabinet design, appliance selections, and lighting fixtures.  Reviewing will give you a wealth of important information that will assist your finishing selection process.

Upgrades and Options

Your builder can also provide an alternate list of upgrades and options.  Selections should be based on your personal tastes, lifestyle choices, and your overall project budget.  Another helpful tip is to remember that success leaves clues.  Your builder can illuminate popular choices for other homes in your style-type, budget, or neighborhood, and you can select even more effortlessly from these smaller lists.

The Budget Stage

An important element to keep track of is your project budget.  Sharing your budget ceiling with your building team at the start of the process will allow them to present you with the best choices that will get the most impactful return on your investment.  A builder simplifies this stage by creating a dedicated mapping of various finishing areas.  Discussing these areas one at a time with your builder will lead to a strong establishment of your finishing budget, and will give the team key information from which to prepare your finishing selection design list.

The Final Stage

In this stage, your building team will bring you a short list of finishing selections that match your needs and budget.  In some cases a nearby showroom design center will have viewable samples on hand.  Once your final finishing selections are made, they can be seamlessly incorporated into your home design.

Making The Right Finishing Choices

Mastering the finishing selection process with the help of a builder is an enjoyable process that will bring your new home to vibrant life.  Take heed of these five key steps, and you’ll be enjoying your beautiful home in no time!

It is very exciting to build a new, custom home but this can also be a very stressful process to take on even with the help of a reputable builder. The custom home process can take a few months to complete or even upwards to almost one full year. There are a lot of factors that go into the timeline involved with new home construction including the current weather conditions in the area where the build is taking place, the availability of the workers, the supplies that are available and so on. The ideal length of the new home construction process is often preferred to be as quickly as possible or at least ending around the time that a person needs to move into the home. To better understand this timeline, consider all of the items that contribute to this process including:

Lot Preparation

Before a custom home can even be begun there is usually some work that needs to be done to the lot. Trees, rocks and debris may need to be moved, sewage lines, water pipes and electric lines may also need to be installed and tied into surrounding homes. Finally, the home can be staked out and started.

Foundation And Frame

The foundation of a custom home process is typically constructed by concrete and weather conditions play a big part in when this can be done and how long it will take for the cement to cure completely. Once a foundation is in place, the framing can then begin. The framing is essentially the core of the home that holds everything together. The interior and the exterior are built off of this solid structure.

The Inner Workings

While it might not seem like a lot is going on from the outside, the inside of the home is getting the heating and cooling installed, the plumbing, wiring, lights, security system and much more. The drywall is then the cosmetic cover that seals everything up, resulting in your interior rooms.

Paint

Once everything has been finalized and inspected, each room can be painted. This includes the ceiling and the walls.

Flooring

Usually flooring will be the last item to be installed in a new home and this is a sign that the process if almost complete. The carpet, linoleum, tiles and such can be installed and are protected from the rest of the process that previously took place during the custom build.

Buying

The New Construction Home buying process is different than buying an existing, or a re-sale home. Our friends at Raleigh Realty, a top Raleigh Real Estate Agency, put together a great guide to help you in the process of buying a new home.

The final countdown to closing on your newly custom built home occurs when you see appliances being delivered, light fixtures are in and the home is then given one good final cleaning before you can occupy it. Typically, a final walk through will take place where the builder explains the entire house top to bottom, showing how everything works and explaining what to expect. This is an important appointment and takes place just before legal closing occurs. Ideally, a custom builder will work with a homeowner’s timeline to try and get them in the house when needed. Of course, there are instances that cannot be controlled and some factors depend on the lawyers involved, but it is always ideal and preferred when a strict timeline can be followed.

Who wouldn’t love to design and build their very own home that has all the right furnishings and amenities that one could dream about? Say I.

Well, that’s an easy question to answer, but is it easy to price ourselves out without knowing our way around the custom home process? I would answer that with a resounding yes. When you custom build, you are getting what you want, but getting what you want may price you out of the project, especially if your resources are limited.

Most people embarking on this journey are getting ready for one of the biggest personal financial commitments they have made to date. Custom building may cost tens of thousands in blueprint fees alone as opposed to standard blueprints that are thousands cheaper. If you add in the costs of the lot, land surveys, building materials, additional architects, and interior design selections your budget can run amok faster than you think.

“The average home in the Northern Virginia area has over 40,000 individual parts, involves the skills of between 85 and 120 suppliers and subcontractors, and demands over 3,000 on-site worker hours to make the dream a reality”, says Wayne Foley, Founder of Foley Construction.

Be Patient

Building a new custom home takes time, somewhere between 6 and 12 months. It’s not like buying a new home and making a few changes here and there before it’s ready for move-in. With a custom built home, you may find multiple delays caused by missing utilities and wrong sourcing of building materials.

Brainstorm Your Non-Negotiables

It is best to make a checklist with your family about the things that you absolutely must have in your home. Do you want one sink or two? A heated towel bar? A walk-in tub for in-laws? If you want a green home, you should consult with a green builder who can help you incorporate the right green building techniques into your home design.

Let The Builder Save Your Family From Overwhelm and Tension

Within the selections process, couples can often be at odds trying to decide which finishings they want in their home. To avoid going at each other’s throats, choose a builder who can collaborate in making the process easier for everyone living in the new home. The designer-builder can block out the various finishing areas and your family can choose one by one.

Remember to allot a reasonable quantity, quality, and price to the various finishing areas to make sure you preserve enough in the budget to allow yourself all of the wonderful things you envisioned for the home.

Is A Semi-Custom Home Better For You?

If you want to build a custom home, but custom building isn’t an option for you, you might want to consider semi-custom. You can choose an already made spec plan and have it modified to fit your needs. For example, let’s say you want a traditional country custom home and it has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. You can hire an architect to add another bedroom and half-bath.

All in all, cultivate your questions with answers that can be found online and decide first if the custom home building process is within your budget.

Your budget drives everything involved in a custom home project, so naturally it makes sense to wonder how much a custom home will actually cost you. Purchasing a custom home is not like buying a new car at the dealership; in fact, it can be like having a newborn child due to many interweaving parts that impact your lifestyle.

The budget may be dictated by the bank or your personal comfort level. The fair market value of the custom home can impact your budget as well. Be prepared to discuss your budget constraints frankly with your designer and builder early on so that the guidelines for the rest of the process can be established.

Before we discuss new home construction cost, I want you to picture a custom home builder as if he were an automobile manufacturer who builds everything from a bottom line Ford to a top of the line BMW. A true custom homebuilder should have the ability to build this range of size and quality.

Would you ask a “custom” automobile manufacturer how much they charge per pound for a car? Probably not. The question would be nearly impossible to answer. The actual price for the car (price per pound) depends on what is included in the car and its relative quality. The same is true for a home.

For those of you who want a quick range, our custom homes have ranged in price from $400,000 to $3,000,000.

Now let’s talk about some of the elements of a budget that you need to consider:

1. Land
   The land is the largest line item in any construction budget. It usually ends up somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 of the overall price of the home. The biggest mistake that home buyers can make is to go out and purchase the lot before considering other elements of the budget. If they purchase a cheap lot with high land development costs or an expensive lot, there might not be room left over in the budget to build the home that they had envisioned.I would recommend that you take your builder out with you to walk the lot in order to evaluate how the land development costs in relationship to your budget.
2. Land Development
   Whereas land is the most costly line item in the construction budget, it doesn’t help that land development is the least understood element in the budget. Here is an easy way to understand land development:Imagine placing a hook on top of the home and picking it up from the lot – all the work that remains on the site with the home removed is “land development.” This includes everything from excavation to removing trees to landscaping. On an average 1-2 acre lot in Northern Virginia, this can easily run between $60,000 to $150,000.As you can see, this land development cost can take a huge chunk out of your budget next to the cost of your lot.
3. Home Plans
   Architectural plans can be obtained in many different ways. You can hire an architect to draft up the plan or you can work with a builder to modify an existing plan. A design builder can also incorporate optimum value design to help you come up a cost efficient plan that protects your pocketbooks.Make sure that you are dealing with a reputable design team that doesn’t violate any copyright laws. If a copyright is violated, the penalties can be very detrimental to the success of your project. The home design process shouldn’t begin until a budget review process has been completed.
4. The Shiny Stuff (Specifications)
   A lot of the technical selection items such as what kind of lumber to use and how the drywall will be glued should be left up to the builder to decide for you. Most home buyers aren’t knowledgeable enough about these types of selections nor do they want to be anyways. The shiny stuff is typically the fun part of the selection process. This includes the light fixtures, plumbing, countertops, etc.There are two stages when deciding on specifications-the budget and final stages. We’ve all heard about budget overruns in the finishing process. There is a high probability that you will not be able to choose every knob and light bulb and not have to go back two or three times throughout the process to change the finishings. Be sure to work with your designer/builder to block out areas to go over the finishings one by one.
5. Financing
   This is the last part of the budget process, but should definitely by thought of first. Custom home financing in Northern Virginia should be handled with care. A lot of everyday banks may not be aware of a special type of financing that allows you to acquire the building lot, build the home and provide for permanent financing until the home is complete.Check with your banker first and factor this into your costs ahead of time.

I hope this post was helpful to you as we delved into all of the elements of a custom home budget. Once you understand the various elements of this budget, you will be empowered to plan ahead with the proper foresight.

Finding and appointing a reputable homebuilder or remodeler is essential to your success in building a custom home. Building a new home is the largest investment most people will make in their lifetime, so it is important to get it right the first time. Remember, you will likely be working together for 6-12 months; so as in any relationship, there needs to be trust and clear, honest communication.

Home buyers are always asking about the differences between the standards of a reputable builder vs. an inexperienced builder. How do you know if you are getting an Old Navy sweater vs. a Gap sweater vs. a Banana Republic sweater? As all three of these companies are subsidiaries of one controlling company, each of them have their varying price points and associated qualities to match those price points.

In this blog post, we’re going to give you 5 fool proof interview questions to vet a quality custom home builder in Northern Virginia. Before we dive into what to look for in these quality builders, let’s first define the roles and responsibilities of a quality custom home builder.

Role of a Quality Custom Home Builder A good custom home builder is an advocate for the homeowner as well as an integral and collaborative member of the design team. They work with the homeowner and design to team to help establish a realistic budget for the project and then monitor the cost and scope through the design and construction process.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Quality Custom Home Builder

• The custom home builder will have preliminary interviews with you to get a better understanding of what kind of home you would like to build
• In-house floor plans should be available and options should also be given to work with your architect or use your plans
• A builder will work with your real estate agent to find a suitable lot and analyze the hidden development costs that will impact your budget
• A quality builder should evaluate your budget to see how each element of your lot and custom home fits into that budget
• The builder will be responsible for managing and obtaining all approvals, inspections, and the certificate of occupancy.
• The builder will educate the owner on the operation and maintenance of the house and service the warrantee as required by local jurisdiction.

What Do You Look For in a Custom Home Builder? A qualified custom home builder doesn’t need to have the best truck sign on the highway or the best looking website with a huge marketing budget. The right builder needs to have the right financial resources, team approach, project management and communication skills, and experience to deliver a quality home. Their primary focus should be on building you a custom home and letting you know if your design plans meet your budget requirements. Here is a shortlist to help you narrow down your candidates before you interview them.

• Experience
• Current resume of projects
• Track record of projects of similar scale
• Communication skills
• Project management skills
• Client references

Once you have narrowed down your candidates with the shortlist above, here are 5 important questions you must ask in an interview to gauge a builder’s understanding of the project, skills, and desire to be involved.

1. Are you willing to work with my architect or plans to ensure we are creating a home that meets my budget?
2. In the event that there are unforeseen changes to the costs of building materials or designs, what process do you have in place to communicate these changes to the owner?
3. Are you comfortable helping me find a lot to build on and obtaining the building permit in a reasonable amount of time?
4. What kind of projects have you done that are similar in scale and style to the custom home I expect?
5. How will questions and answers be addressed during the construction of the project?

As you can see, looking for a quality custom home builder isn’t just about looking for someone who comes with excellent references and offers you a fair price for the task. Make sure you understand what to look for and be prepared with the right questions before you decide on who to work with for the next 6-12 months.